Health inspector reports vacancy and says he is covering inspections amid few applicants

Bill Wallace, Fairfield Township's health inspector, told the mayor and council on Feb. 24 that a key staff member has left and the department is short-staffed.

Wallace said the staff member, Colleen, “took a new job” and that the position he previously held pays more. "She took a director's and made like $30,000 more than she good opportunity for her," Wallace said, adding that the departure is a loss for the township but an opportunity for the employee. He said the department has posted the open position and is trying to gather resume9s for interviews but has received few applicants so far.

Wallace also summarized routine public-health activity: he said the department performed 10 retail food inspections in September; in October it performed 15 retail food inspections, two temporary food inspections and several follow-ups; November had six food inspections and one complaint; and December included four food inspections, three temporary food inspections, one tattoo inspection, one court appearance and two miscellaneous follow-ups. He said he is picking up inspection duties while the vacancy remains open and hopes to have a replacement within roughly two weeks but offered no guarantee.

The council acknowledged the report and asked procedural questions; no formal action was taken at the Feb. 24 meeting beyond the posting of the vacancy and the inspector covering duties until a hire is made. The meeting then proceeded to other agenda items and votes, and later moved into an executive session for personnel matters.